LIVE...
Bold without Hesitance;
Zealous without Reserve.
Create without Lines. 
Fight without Defeat in mind.
Endure without Pride.
Learn without Knowledge.
Drive without Maps.
Serve without YOU.
Laugh without Fear.
Cry without Pity.
Gaze without Fingers.
Taste without Preference.
Explore without Cost.
Trust without Doubts.
Sing without Notes.
See without Perception.
Hug without Return.
Ask without Answers.
Play without Bug Spray.
Evolve without Mirrors.
Love without Possibilities.

live.bold.zealous.create.fight.endure.
learn.drive.serve.laugh.cry.gaze.taste.
explore.trust.sing.see.hug.ask.play.evolve.
love.

With-Out You.
To be With-In Him.

I'm sitting in the coffee bean, starting to doze off... how does this happen while I'm drinking coffee??
Do I fight against this urge or just go with it? If you know me, you would probably guess go with it - you're right.
I hide my face and relax in the 3-5 minutes of dream world - until I am so rudely awakened by my phone ringing.

Just before I drift off I’m reading through a few chapters in Romans. As I hang up the phone I look down only to get smacked by this verse...

"The hour has come for you to Wake Up from your present slumber,
Because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed." (!)
(Romans 13:11)

Ha! I literally got my wake up call!
So what is my reaction?

A.  Be offended by the rude timing
B.  Get excited for the awesome verse as I drift back to sleep
C.  Get up out of any area of comfort & passivity to fight - for REAL

As I begin to ponder on it I'm faced with the reality that lately I've been waiting in rest for His return, but not anticipating through battle. How can you truly anticipate something if you're already comfortable?

I can’t help but be reminded of one of my favorite movies – Glory.
Robert Gould Shaw was the Colonel in command of the all-black 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. A regiment is needed to lead the attack into Fort Wagner the following morning. Realizing the casualties would be great, Colonel Shaw requests the “honor” for the 54^th to lead the attack. Brought to mind that his men had just returned from a 2 day battle with no sleep, Colonel Shaw replies…

~ There's more to fighting than rest, sir. There's character. There's strength of heart.
You should have seen us in action two days ago. We were a sight to see!
We'll be ready, sir. When do you want us? ~
Colonel Robert Gould Shaw

The most tempting times for rest is after a great victory. The enemy may even give you a victory in what seems to be a great battle just to lull you to sleep through the battle that he's really concerned about.

What would happen if we saw the battle as an honor rather than a duty?

~ It's not true is it? I mean about not being allowed to fight.
The men are living for that day. I know I am.~
Copal Thomas Searles

Can others smell the stench / fragrance of war on you?
Or are you merely a reporter on the sidelines - getting the applause for a great story which the real men have fought for.

The God of Peace will Soon crush Satan under your feet!!
(Romans 16:20)

Returning to the battlefield with anticipation!